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I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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7 



LMTEl) STATES OF AMERICA. 



"6^- r 4, 

0.\E Hundred ReasOx\s 



WHY 



SHOULD NOT BE KE-ELECTED 



WHICH WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO 



rSEVEXT EVERY SENSIBLE AND HONEST MAN 
FROM VOTING FOR HIM. 

U2 3^- 



" Now, in the name of all the gods at once, 
Upon what meat dotli this, our Caesar, feed : 
That he is grown so great ?" 



PUBLISHED BY ^ 

THE AUTHOR, J. C. THOMPSON, 

No. 3141/^ Walnut Street, 
PHILADELPHIA. 



Eg. 15 
.T4-1 



Eutere-d according to Act of Con;,n-C'ss, in tbe ywir 161-2, Ly 

J. C. THOMPSON, 

in tlie office of the Librarian of Congress, at "Washington, D. C. 



^ 

c^ 



INTRODUCTION. 



Men who allow prejudice, 4:)assion, resentment, or 
enthusiasm to lead them from a calm and deliberate 
consideration of the interests, -welfare, prosperity and 
independence of the great body of the people, en- 
gaged in the humble but useful occupations of life, 
will always be the dupes and slaves of the dema- 
gogues; who excite their feelings, and make profit 
for themselves, out of the folly and ignorance of 
such persons as ma}' be induced to vote against an 
opposing party, because they hate it. 

If the American people are such children that 
the}' cannot bear to face disagreeable facts, nor to 
listen to unpleasant truths ; but prefer to hear the 
boastful flatteries of cozening knaves, who excite 
their admiration of military exploits, and the gran- 
deur of a powerful and magnificent centralized gov 
ernment, with authorit}^ to crush all who have the 
courage to expose the crafty villany of the political 
parasites who enrich themselves, and corrupt their 
minions at the expense of the public treasury ; what 



better will they be than the poor subjects of the 
grand military monarchies of Europe? 

This little work is designed for men wlio have in- 
dependence of mind sufficient to resist the wiles and 
cunningly devised sophistries of the horde of poli- 
tical hucksters, who have managed our public affairs 
for some years past. Our appeal is to those who 
have enough intelligence and mental vigor to do 
their own thinking; and to form opinions without 
the aid of mercenary journals ; and the venal ser- 
vants of party " rings." 

A dispassionate view of the state of affairs in this 
country at the present time will be instructive. The 
organic law of our Republic, which was the bond 
of union between the States, contained provisions 
which were not acceptable to some of the citizens 
of the Northern States ; chief among them were 
those which protected negro slaver}- in the South ; 
but the value of the Union was considered so great, 
that the vast mnjority of the people opposed all 
efforts to weaken it. A few, however, considered 
slavery so great an evil, that they declared they 
"wanted no Union, with slaveholders:" and meas- 
ures were adopted in Northern States in conflict 
with the " supreme law," the Constitution. South- 
ern men claimed the right to take their slaves into 



the new Territories ; and a fierce hostility arose be- 
tween the two sections. Political parties were 
formed on this basis; and at the election of 1800, 
the more populous free States gained a victory. 
This triumph of the people of one section over those 
of the other, intensified the bitter feeling already 
existing ; and the more nltra men of the South de- 
clared that, inasmuch as Northern States had already 
shown disregard of those provisions of the Consti- 
tution which protected their slave property-, they 
could have no hope that the " supreme law of the 
land " would be respected by the party coming into 
power. Some of the Southern States adopted meas- 
ures of resistance ; declared themselves out of the 
Union ; and proceeded to form a new Confederacy. 
It became apparent to those who then had posses- 
sion of the Federal Government, that the States of 
the South could not be subdued, without disregard- 
ing other and fundamental provisions of the Con- 
stitution ; and the imminent peril of the Govern- 
ment was given as a reason for laying aside the 
" supreme law " during the conflict. We need not 
detail the events of the fearful war which followed ; 
and during which a ver}^ large part of the Southern 
people, who desired to preserve the Union, found 

themselves so situated that they must be enemies 
1* 



6 

of the Federal Government, or of the States of 
which they were citizens. Being compelled to 
choose between the two, most of them acknowledged 
their first allegiance to be to their States, which 
were the creators of the Union. 

The people of the Northern States triumphed. 
The defeated armies of the Confederacy submitted 
to terms of surrender, offered by General Grant. 
These terms were adhered to b}' the Southern peo- 
ple, but were subsequently repudiated b}' the party 
in power, with the sanction of General Grant ; and 
a harassing and insulting military tj-ranny has 
since that time been excercised over the Southern 
States. The slaves were emancipated as an act of 
war ; subsequently the}' were enfranchised ; while 
their former masters were degraded and deprived 
of citizenship. Even now, man}^ of the most intel- 
ligent men of the South remain disfranchised, and 
the emancipated negroes vote under the tutelage 
of the parasites of the Federal administration. 

The people of the South, in endeavoring to esta- 
blish a confederacy, adopted a constitution contain- 
ing the essential features of our own ; and by doing 
so showed a regard for its principles. Our Consti- 
tution has been changed to suit the views of North- 
ern men, and to secure the franchises of the negroes. 



The people of the South evince a willingness to 
accept that Constitution, and to aid in the election 
of a life-long opponent of slavery. The}' desire the 
establishment of a government of law ; and to be 
freed from the rule of the bayonet. 

The venal journals and orators of the adminis- 
tration tell the people that the men of the South are 
not sincere, and cannot be trusted ; and that they 
may again get into power and rule the whole country. 

Whj' do they fear this ? 

The wliite people of the States engaged in the • 
Rebellion, are not a fourth part of the whole white 
population. How can they control the government ? 
It is the people of the Northern States that General 
Grant's minions fear. The plain issue presented to 
the American people now, is this. Shall we return 
to a government of law ; or shall we continue to 
submit to the rule of the oligarchy of military poli- 
ticians, brought into existence by the events of civil 
war ? 

The ablest and most respected men of the party 
which elected General Grant four years ago, now 
tell the people that genuine freedom and prosperity 
can only be attained by displacing a most unworthy 
administration, and driving from office the unscru- 
pulous cormorants who feed at the national treasury. 



ONE HUNDRED REASONS 

WHY 

GENERAL GRANT 

SHOULD NOT BE RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT. 



1. — In a country where men are at liberty to ex- 
press their opinions, it is natural for those who 
have opposed a dominant partj^ to declare their dis- 
satisfaction with its measures, and the conduct of 
its men ; but when those who have been most promi- 
nent in electing a leader, whom they have chosen, 
become disgusted with his tj-rann}^, and the corrup- 
tion and arrogance of his minions, publicly de- 
clare that he is trampling the laws under his feet, 
and encouraging the most shameless disregard of 
decency and propriety, men of common sense will 
not fail to see that there must be strong reasons for 
their severing the bonds which have united them 
with party associates. 

The men who did most to make General Grant 
President, now most earnestly call upon the people 
to aid them in resisting an unscrupulous tj^ranny, 
and in re-establishing a government of laws. 



10 

It is not those who voted against General Grant 
four years ago, who now denounce him ; but those 
who then told us that he was a most proper man to 
fill the Presidential office. His accusers are the 
men who made the Republican Part}'', and in whom 
the men of that party have most confidence. 



2. — It is wrong in principle to reward men for mili- 
tary services, b}' placing tliem in civil offices, where 
the}' may exercise great power and authority. It 
would have been better to have given General 
Grant many millions of the public money, than to 
have permitted him to prostitute the higliest office 
of the Republic, to enrich himself and his friends 
and followers. 

It is not fair to say that the election of Washing- 
ton and Jackson are precedents for honoring Gene- 
ral Grant, who had nothing but military services to 
recommend him in the same way. 

Wa&hington and Jackson were soldiers only when 
foreign foes invaded our country ; and they returned 
to the peaceful work of agriculture, as soon as their 
military services could be dispensed with. 



3. — Xo country in the world possesses sucli 
ample and varied resources as ours ; and yet the 
credit of the nation is so low that our .v/.r per cent, 
bonds in Europe are wortli no more than English 
three per cents. The English people do not expect 
that their public debt will be paid off; but they have 



11 

confidence in the integrity of those who manage 
public affairs; and the}^ invest their mone}^ in the 
" consols" at a low rate of interest. The capitalists 
of the world have not the same confidence in the 
good faith of those who administer our government, 
and they will only lend their money to us when a 
high rate of interest tempts them. 

The interest on our national debt is over 
$103,000,000 a year; one half of which would be 
saved if the credit of our government were as good 
as that of Great Britain. 

In the one item of interest on the public debt, 
tlie American people pay over $50,000,000 in gold 
every j-ear for political profligacy ; and endure 
the mortification of appearing before the world as 
citizens of an indebted and discredited nation. 



4. — General Grant's renomination was an insult 
to the American people. A Convention prepared 
by his parasites and hirelings, assembled in Phila- 
delphia, and declared that they represented the 
people of the whole country ; and without a dis- 
senting voice they proclaimed that he was the 
choice of the people for the oflfice, which he has 
brought into utter contempt. 

Xo Imperial C{3esar ever committed a more arro- 
gant act ; nor one which showed less respect for 
the intelligence of the people. 

If a President may send his servants to speak in 
the name of the people, and re-nominate him ; and 



12 

then use the patronage of the government, and the 
influence of more than a thousand subsidized news- 
papers to secure his re-election, it will not be long 
until our elections will be as great a burlesque as 
the plebiscites of Louis Napoleon's empire. 



5. —Our country is practically placed in the posi- 
tion of a province of England. The debts of the 
Government, States, municipalities, corporations, 
and individuals to foreign capitalists, is enormous. 
It has been stated in Congress by a prominent sup- 
porter of General Grant, that these debts amount 
to $4,000,000,000, and they are increasing at the 
rate of not less than $400,000,000 a year. If this 
shall be continued, in a few years all the most pro- 
ductive property of this country will be owned* in 
Europe, and the American people will be. working 
as servants of the aristocracy of the old world. 



6. — The mismanagement of the "Alabama claims" 
treaty has made our government ridiculous in the 
eyes of the civilized world ; and the friends of 
General Grant can find no excuse for his discredit- 
able withdrawal of the claim for indirect damages. 
If the claim for a vast sum of money as a compensa- 
tion for" consequential " losses were just and proper, 
it was a gross act of cowardice to abandon it, at tlie 
threat of England to throw up the treaty. If it 
were not right and judicious, it was a very silly 
thing to present it. To declare that it was just, 
and then to abandon it, was unmanl}'. 



13 

7. — The onl}^ securit}- for the rights and liberties 
of the people, is in obedience on the part of those 
who hold important offices, to the "supreme law of 
the Republic" — the Constitution — which General 
Grant and his subordinates habitually and persist- 
ently violate. Nearly all the chief acts of this ad- 
ministration are in disregard of the Constitution, 
which was intended to define and circumscribe the 
powers and authority of all oflScials and political 
bodies. The founders of our Republic intended 
that those who filled the highest positions should be 
the servants of the people, and should have no more 
authority to violate the laws than the humblest 
citizen. If we acknowledge the right of a Presi- 
dent to trample upon the laws, no matter what the 
pretence may be, free government is at an end, and 
imperialism is established. 



8. — A FRAUD is imposed upon the community by 
the mercenar}^ journals in the service of the admin- 
istration, in calling the faction which sustains Gene- 
ral Grant, the Republican Party. General Grant, 
and the chief of the men who have re-nominated, 
and desire to re-elect him, were not recognized as 
leaders, nor as prominent supporters of that party, 
before the war furnished offices and plunder ; and 
no considerable part of the rank and file of the 
Republican Party would support General Grant, if 
they were not deceived by the newspapers which 
2 



14 

depend for subsistence upon the patronage of the 
administration. 

The Grant faction is composed of ofliceholders, 
ring managers, and the parasites who are supported 
b}' them ; but no old Republican, who has sustained 
that party for the purpose of establishing princi- 
ples, can consistently^ support General Grant in 
opposition to Horace Greely. 



9. — General Grant's services have been abun- 
dantly recompensed. No matter how extravagant 
ma}' be our ideas of the value of his management 
of military affairs, it is certain that his work, his 
deprivations, and the dangers which he encoun- 
tered have been recompensed with an unsparing- 
liberality. A military title higher than any con- 
ferred upon Washington, Jackson, or Scott, was 
created by Congress to honor him ; he has been 
elected to the highest civil office of the Republic, 
for which he has shown no fitness ; and he has 
been permitted to use the power and influence of 
his great office to accumulate a large fortune. 

Hundreds of thousands of the American people 
gave their lives in the same war, and many of them 
left families in destitute circumstances. A small pen- 
sion has been deemed sufficient to reward their sacri- 
fices, although man}' of them were quite the equals of 
General Grant in intelliirence and moral worth. 



10. — General Grant has not shown the wisdom 
needed to enable a President to select proper per- 



15 

sons to fill cabinet offices. The Navy is presided 
over by a third-rate lawyer from New Jersey ; the 
War Department is under the control of a military 
coxcomb ; our foreign affairs are managed b}^ a 
gentleman of refined manners, but not smart enough 
to cope with the statesmen of England ; the Treasury 
is in the hands of a man of two ideas : 1, to pay off 
the public debt and, 2, to restore a specie currency ; 
to accomplish which, he is willing to grind the people 
to powder ; and there is at the head of none of the 
departments a man who has shown unusual ability. 
The weakest of former Presidents chose eminent 
statesmen to fill cabinet offices ; but the great 
minds of our countr^^ at the present time, are 
forced into obscurity, and compelled to acknow- 
ledge that 

" The post of honor is a private station." 



11. — It is not possible for the people of the North- 
ern States to enjoy the rights of free citizens, while 
despotic rule is enforced in another part of the 
Union. If those who have the powers of a cen- 
tralized government in their hands, be allowed to 
exercise authority not granted by the " supreme 
law," over States and individuals in one section, 
their absolute rule will be directed against all who 
resist their encroachments, whenever their posses- 
sion of power may appear to be endangered. 

In the better days of the Republic, no President 
ventured to imnish States for opposition to the ad- 



16 

ministration at Washington. When individuals 
commit any wrong act, the}' may be punished le- 
galh^ ; but the notion of condemning communities, 
where no one is convicted of any offence, is utterly 
subversive of the great principles upon which our 
civil S3^stem has been founded ; and if it be not 
promptly rebuked by the people, there will no lon- 
ger be any safety for any one whose rights or free- 
dom may be assailed by men in power. 

Revenge is not warranted by our institutions ; 
and all disabilities and oppressions, imposed with- 
out warrant of the Constitution, are acts of unmi- 
tigated tyranny. 



1 2. — The American Republic as founded by our re- 
volutionary ancestors, whose supreme law was, and 
is, the Constitution of the United States, was in- 
tended, and was well calculated, to secure to the 
people a greater amount of freedom, happiness and 
prosperity, than had been enjo^'ed by the people 
of any other country. It is undoubtedly, when 
honestl}" administered, the best government for the 
people that the world has ever seen. Its chief pe- 
culiarity was tliat it made those who held the 
highest positions, as much subject to the law as 
the humblest citizen ; and it carefully guarded the 
rights of all. 

This government has l->een practically subverted 
by General Grant, and the faction which supports 
him ; who have assumed unwarranted power. It is 



17 

desirable that this government of law shall be re- 
stored ; and it can onl}' be done by displacing the 
horde of nnscrupnlous parasites who now have the 
government in their hands, and use it as a means 
by which they may plunder the public treasury. 



13. — He has sent his son in a government vessel, 
under the care of a General of the Arm}^ to Europe, 
to visit the courts of the despots of the old world; 
thus imitating the customs of the great monarchies, 
and placing his son on a footing with the heirs to 
imperial dignities. 

This proceeding is a gross insult to the American 
people, inasmuch as it shows how contemptuous an 
opinion the President has of their intelligence. 



14. — Seven years have passed since the Con- 
federate army laid down its arms, accepting the 
terms of surrender otfered by the Federal authori- 
ties ; and yet the Southern States have not been 
restored to the Union. It is not pretended that 
the Southern people failed to observe the terms of 
that surrender ; and no legal prosecutions have been 
instituted against them, to show that they have 
committed offences against the laws ; but a military 
tyraiiu}' has been exercised over them, well calcu- 
lated to keep alive feelings of resentment, and to 
prevent a cordial union of States, on the basis of 
the Constitution ; and in accoi-dahce with that great 
principle of the Declaration of Independence, that 
2* 



18 

the members of our Federal Union " are, and of 
right ought to be free and independent states.^'' 

An exhibition of wise statesmanship, and a de- 
sire to deal justly with the people of all sections, 
would long since have restored harmony and 
friendly intercourse; for the irritating questions 
which provoked civil war, no longer enter into our 
political contests ; and only mercenary demagogues 
endeavor to keep alive feelings of sectional ani- 
mosity. 



15. — General Grant is the first President who 
has enriched himself by holding that office. The 
early Presidents were satisfied with the honor gained 
by a wise and just administration of the aft'airs of 
our great Republic ; and some of them were im- 
poverished by occupying the great ofliice. 



16. — He has brought discredit upon the govern- 
ment by permitting the national treasury to be used 
to accomplish the nefarious schemes of gold specu- 
lators and stock gamblers. 



17. — He has shamefully abused the patronage of 
the Presidential otfice, making use of it to enrich 
his relatives. No other President has shown so 
gross a disregard of the moral sense of the commu- 
nit}^ ; but those most honored by the American 
people, have evinced their appreciation of the de- 
moralizing eff*ects of nepotism, in a manner which 
cannot be mistaken. 



19 

18. — The industry of the people is discouraged; 
and the cost of subsistence and home comforts 
enormously increased by the continuation of inter- 
nal taxation, and the monopolies in various depart- 
ments of business established by the "rings " in 
the Grant faction. If the revenue from duties on 
imports were honestly collected there would l)e no 
excuse for internal taxes. It is known to every in- 
telligent man that in the New York Custom House, 
duties to an immense amount are evaded by impor- 
ters, acting in collusion with the government offi- 
cials. 

It is estimated that the national treasury is rob- 
bed by those, whose duty it is to guard it, of at 
least one third of the whole amount of duties. 
This at the present time is not less than one hun- 
dred million dollars a year. This the country loses 
because of the unfaithfulness of the servants of 
the administration. It may be that General Grant 
cannot find among his supporters honest men enough 
to collect the revenue, but such an excuse for plun- 
dering the public treasury will not induce honest 
men to vote for him. 



19. — Had our country never been engaged in 
civil war, no one would have thought that Gene- 
ral Grant was fit to be President of the United 
States. 

Although educated at the expense of the govern- 
ment, in the best school of the country, he did not 



20 

show unusual intelligence ; and his habits were not 
commendable. " 

Our sanguinary strife, which destroyed the lives 
of hundreds of thousands of the American people, 
made fame and fortune for him. 



20. — While we were engaged in civil war. the 
danger to the countr}^ was made an excuse for dis- 
regard of the laws by men in power ; but now there 
is no armed resistance to the government ; and no 
proper excuse can be made for treating the laws 
with contempt. It is necessary to defeat the im- 
perial aspirations of General Grant, in order to 
re-establish a government of law. 



21. — General Grant has nothing to recommend 
him to the favor of the people of this country, but 
his militar}' achievements ; and these are excessively 
over-rated. The great events of the war which 
tended to crush the Southern Confederacy, were 
the battle of Gettysburg, the destruction of Hood's 
army at Nashville, the taking of New Orleans, and 
Sherman's march through the Southern States. In 
the expedition to Richmond, General Grant had a 
ver}' large and well-supplied army, and reinforce- 
ments in large numbers were sent to him as he 
"swung round the circle," and through incompe- 
tenc}^ lost many thousands of the troops under his 
command ; and Richmond was not taken until 
Lee's comparatively small army was exhausted, 
and his supplies cut off. 



21 

The sacrifice of troops in this expedition is one 
of the most fearful on record. The details of the 
slaughter at " Cold Harbor " are sickening to read. 



22. — The prosperity of the country cannot be re- 
stored 'until free and friendly intercourse shall be 
established between all sections ; and the harassing 
interference of the officials and emissaries of the 
administration, in the business and political affairs 
of the Southern people, has been, and yet is, a great 
detriment to our internal commerce, in which the 
interests of a large part of the people are involved. 



23. — He has received valuable presents, and be- 
stowed important offices upon those who have given 
them, although they have proved incompetent to 
perform the duties required. 

Thus he has incurred the reproach of making 
merchandize of the most honorable and influential 
positions in his patronage, and brought discredit 
upon the government. 

When the President of the Republic sets the ex- 
ample of corruption, the demoralizing influence is 
too readily felt by those in humbler conditions 
of life. 



24. — The aim of General Grant and his followers 
is to keep alive the sectional animosity which 
caused our civil war, and destroyed a million of 
ine American people. A restoration of peace and 



friendly intercourse would enable the people to set 
a correct value upon military heroism ; would bring 
statesmen again into the councils of the nation, and 
would consign those who have abused the power 
entrusted to them, to merited obscurity. 



25. — The insolent abuse of all who rebuke the arro- 
gant assumptions, and illegal and unscrupulous acts 
of General Grant, by his parasites and hireling news- 
papers, is insufferable ; and deserves the severest 
censure of every independent-minded citizen. 

Under despotic governments the hardest thing to 
bear is the insulting conduct of underlings and pam- 
pered menials. If the American people are content 
to endure more of it, it must be because 

" Thoy are pigeon-livered, 
And lack gall, to make oppression bitter." 



26. — A DEEP feeling of dissatisfaction exists in the 
minds of that large class of men who depend upon 
wages for subsistence. The expense of ordinary 
living is so great, that those who support families 
cannot improve their condition, although their 
labor produces immense wealth. 

The administration has controlled the majorities 
in Congress ; and the latter have been mainly occu- 
pied with schemes to perpetuate General Grant's 
power and their own plunder. Measures to secure 
the prosperity and independence of those engaged 
in productive work, form no part of the programme. 



23 

of this administration. There is no hope of a 
better condition of things for workingraen, unless 
we can have statesmen at the head of the govern- 
ment. 



27. — General Grant's administration has sus- 
tained a horde of predatory knaves in the Southern 
States, who feed and fatten upon the plunder of 
States, municipalities and individuals. The scan- 
dalous and enormous increase of State debts mani- 
pulated by them, and of oppressive taxes imposed 
by them, are a disgrace to the countr3^ and should 
be resented by all who have any regard for the 
reputation of the government. 



28. — The libert}^ of the press is virtually destroyed 
when the money of the government is used to sub- 
sidize newspapers, which deceive the people who 
read them, and denounce all who oppose the party 
in power. The prostitution of the public press is 
one of the most fearful evidences of the debasement 
and profligacy of the times. 

Large capital is needed to establish and sustain 
popular newspapers ; and a party which has not 
laj-ge sums of money to expend for political pur- 
poses, cannot support such a means of advocating 
principles, and is in a measure without organs. 

The supporters of General Grant have boasted of 
the large number of newspapers which defend him. 



24 

29. — It is right and proper for every citizen to 
criticise the conduct of those who hold important 
offices ; and it is a duty to censure the unlawful and 
nnworthy acts of a President, and to hold him re- 
sponsible for the conduct of his subordinates. If 
we admit that the dignity of a high office should 
shield the incumbent of it from rebuke, when he has 
violated the laws, or demeaned himself in a manner 
" unbecoming an officer and a gentleman," we adopt 
the notion inculcated in monarchical governments, 
that " the king can do no wrong ; " which is abhor- 
rent to our ideas of civil rights. In our Republic, 
the more important the position held by an individ- 
ual, the more stern should be the reproof, when he 
disregards the " supreme law," and the responsibili- 
ties of his office. 



30. — If peace and good order were restored in the 
South, the occupation of the harpies, who for seven 
years have preyed upon the people of that section, 
would be gone, and their plunder taken from them. 

No man of common sense can believe that the 
corrupt and unscrupulous men, who sustain Gene- 
lal Grant, desire a restoration of harmony and 
friendly intercourse, which would compel them to 
earn their subsistence by honest labor. 

Ku-Kluxisra in the South is their harvest. 



31. — The leading supporters of General Grant in 
Pennsylvania are denounced by journals prominent 



25 

in the Republican partj^ as composing a " ring " of 
plunderers ; who have for a number of years depre- 
dated upon the State treasury ; and one of them — the 
Governor of that State — has recently pardoned two 
men convicted of an attempt to assassinate a gov- 
ernment official ; the facts of the case making it 
evident that they were hired to undertake this work. 
When the journals of their own party proclaim the 
infamous character of their prominent men ; and 
their acts show that they desire to conciliate hired 
assassins, it is time for honest men to repudiate the 
whole concern ; and make an effort to purify the 
political atmosphere. 



32. — The opponents of General Grant in this con- 
test are not a political party ; but the intelligent peo- 
ple of the country', holding different opinions with 
regard to measures of policy, but united in their de- 
sire to resist personal government, and to re-esta- 
blish the Republic. The struggle is between the 
American people on one side, and General Grant 
and his hirelinos on the other. 



33. — The more candid journals in the service of 
General Grant admit that his opponent is an honest 
man; and the success of the latter in conducting a 
leading journal for man}' years makes it evident 
that he is intelligent. 

Capability and honesty are the most important 
qualifications for any office. 
3 



34. — General Grant has appointed to some of the 
most important offices, men wlio liad nothing to re- 
commend them, but servility and unscrupulous wil- 
lingness to advance his schemes. This elevation 
of unworthy persons to high and honorable posi- 
tions, is most discouraging to honest and useful men ; 
who perceive that knavish sycophancy and super- 
serviceable prostitution more readily secure fortune 
and influence, than moral worth and genuine merit 
can do. Conspicuous rewards for baseness are most 
injurious to society, and should meet the stern re- 
proof of all honest men. 



35. — Whatever may be our views with regard to 
the conduct of the Southern people engaged in tlie re- 
cent war, we should rememl»er that we cannot exer- 
cise t3'ranny over them, and preserve the rights of 
citizens in our own section. If we disregard the 
supreme law, in order to inflict vindictive injur}* and 
disabilities upon persons we dislike, we shall destroy 
the power of the law to protect us when our rights 
are assailed. The Constitution is the people's friend, 
and if we are wise, we will rather preserve it, than 
seek revenge upon those with whom we have been 
at war. 



36. — It has been uniforml}' found that when one 
part\' has long had control of public affairs, its offi- 
cials become corrupt, profligate and arrogant. A 
change of administration at short intervals, is neces* 



27 

sary to secure an honest and prudent management 
of the business of ofovernment. 



3Y. — Our Federal government was instituted for 
the accomplishment of certain objects, which the 
individual States could not conveniently effect ; but 
it was not intended that it should be used to reward 
military exploits. 

The people may find means to express their ad- 
miration of brilliant feats of arms, without yielding 
up their legal rights, and the prosperity of the 
country. 



38. — The personal habits of General Grant are 
such as to disqualify him for the performance of the 
duties of an office of such vast importance to the 
people, as that of President of the United States. 

A person of unpolished tastes and manners might 
be tolerated in such a position, if he should possess 
judgment and prudence ; but none of the qualities 
needed to make a worthy Chief Magistrate can be 
found in General Grant ; and when we remember the 
dignified and honorable demeanor of the early Presi- 
dents, we cannot avoid a feeling of indignation, in 
consequence of the degradation of the great office. 



39. — The pretended dismissal of General Grant's 
relative, the collector of the port of New Orleans, 
when it became known that he had made use of a 
United States vessel to accomplish an illegal move- 



28 

ment of a faction in the Louisiana Legislature, al- 
lowing him to retain his position, \Yas a gross out- 
rage upon propriety, and a significant commentary 
upon the professed desire of the President to intro- 
duce reform in the civil service. 



40. — General Grant's usurpation of the war- 
making power, conferred by the Constitution upon 
Congress, is one of the most audacious acts of his 
administration. Senator Sumner, in a recent letter, 
speaking of his movement to capture the Island of 
Hayti, says: 

" Here is a most instructive ' antecedent,' reveal- 
ing beyond question his true nature, and the whole is 
attested by documentary evidence concerning the 
idea of annexing Dominica, which is the Spanish 
part of the island ; and, shrinking at nothing, he 
began by seizing the w^ar powers of the government, 
in flagrant violation of the Constitution, and then, 
at great expenditure of mone}', sent several armed 
ships of the navy, including monitors, to maintain 
the usurper Baez in power, that through him he 
might obtain the coveted prize. 

"Not content with this audacious dictatorship, 
he proceeded to strike at the independence of the 
black Republic by open menace of war, and all 
without tlie sanction of Congress, to which is com- 
mitted the war-making power. Sailing into the 
liarbor of Port-au-Prince with our most powerful 
monitor, the Dictator, properly named for this ser- 
vice ; also, the frigate Severn as consort, and other 
monitors in their train, the admiral, acting under 
instructions from Washington, proceeded to the 



29 

executive mansion, accompanied by officers of his 
squadron, and then pointing to the great war ships 
in sight from the windows, dealt his menace of war, 
threatening to sink or capture Haj'tien ships." 

Facts like these should convince every citizen of 
the United States, that it is not safe to allow 
General Grant to fill the office of President for 
another term 



41. — Slavery to party is one of the great evils 
of a Republic. Few men, even when they find that 
the}^ have been led astray by crafty demagogues, 
have the courage to change their course, and incur 
tlie sneers and denunciations of their former asso- 
ciates. 

The menial press, in the service of General 
Grant's party, is vituperative and malignant toward 
all who have the manliness to resist their tyranny. 



42. — The prevalent idea that it is bad policy to 
speak the truth with regard to the merits of a con 
spicuous military man, deserves rebuke. 

Men of eminent military merit have been most 
dangerous enemies to the American Republic. Few 
meu in this country have b}^ brilliant military ser 
vices gained the admiration of the people in a 
greater degree than did Benedict Arnold. 



43. — The inhumanity of creating enmity between 
the negroes of the South and their former masters, 
^3* 



30 

upon whom they depend for employment. Daring 
the war the slaves were faithful to their masters, 
and worked on the plantations in the absence of 
the latter, producing the supplies needed by the 
Confederate armies ; and there was no cause of hos- 
tility between the two races ; but to secure negro 
votes, swarms of unprincipled men have been sent 
into the South to delude them, and place them in 
political hostility to the white people. 



44. — He has kept hordes of parasites in the 
South, who have plundered the States they pre- 
tend to govern, and devoured the substance of 
the people. Since these knaves have had control 
of political affairs in that section, they have in- 
creased the debts of the States be3^ond what they 
formerly owed, to the extent of over two hundred 
million dollars; for which the peoi)le have no 
equivalent. 



45. — The despotic measures of the administra- 
tion in the South have no longer an excuse. The 
willingness of the Southern people to accept as 
President one of the founders of the Republican 
party, who has been all his life an advocate of the 
equal rights of men of all races, shows plainly that 
no lurking desire to renew the sectional conHict 
exists. 

The election of a President on the basis of the 
Constitution, will restore peace and harmony in all 
sections of the Union. 



31 

46. — The effort to establish parties on tlie basis 
of distinctions of race, if successful, will inevitably 
result in the oppression of the negroes, who are but 
a tenth part of the people, and have not intelli- 
oence sufficient to enable them to contend with 
white men. There is no hope of improvement and 
elevation for them, if the^- be placed in an attitude 
of hostility to the men of the Caucasian race. 



47. — Wfien General Grant was inaugurated Pre- 
sident of the United States, he took a solemn oath 
to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution," 
which is "the supreme law of the land." The whole 
course of his administration has been in violation 
of this oath. No candid man, who knows what the 
fundamental law of the government requires of the 
President, will pretend that he has respected this 
oath; and the journals and parasites supporting 
him, insolently assail all those who remonstrate 
against his notoriously unconstitutional acts. 

The man who will not keep his oath is unfit to be 
President of the United States. 



48. — The habeas corpus is essential to the protec- 
tion of the rights of ever}' citizen ; and General 
Grant's persistent disregard of it shows that he 
is ignorant of the fundamental principles of our 
government. 



49. — The pretence that General Grant and hi? 
faction are the Kepiiblican party is a fraud upon 
the people. 

The men who were most prominent in organ- 
izins: that party now oppose the re-election of Gene- 
lal Grant, because they perceive that he is striving 
to retain power by subverting even Republican 
principles. 



50. — One of the first acts of General Grant's ad- 
ministration was the appointment to a cabinet office 
of a person of great wealth, from whom he had 
leceived a pecuniar^' favor; this person was not 
legally elegible to the office for which he was 
chosen. 

It is a maxim of law that the most uninformed 
person is not excused from censure for an improper 
act, on account of ignorance of the law ; and yet it 
Avas found that one deemed fit to fill the position of 
Cliief Magistrate of the American Republic, through 
hick of knowledge, disregarded a law designed to 
protect the national treasury; and when informed 
that his act was unlawful, he arrogantly asked Con- 
gress to abolish the law which was an impediment 
to his desire. 

Such a request shows in a strong light the little 
regard which General Grant has for the institutions 
of our country. Like an absolute autocrat, he 
would have laAvs made and unmade to suit his 
])leasure, without regard to the interests and rights 
of the people. 



33 

51. — General Grant has very few active suppor- 
ters who have not a pecuniar}^ interest in keeping 
him in power. But for the use of the public money, 
his friends woukl have no hope of re-electing him. 
Vast sums will be expended to prevent a free choice 
by the people. 



52. — There is an imperative demand from all in- 
telligent and true men throughout the country, for 
a reform in politics. The notorious and unblushing 
corruption w^hich pervades the General Government, 
as well as those of States and municipalities ; and 
which is increasing with the growth of wealth and 
population, makes it evident that the very founda- 
tions of our civil institutions are undermined, and 
will soon be destroyed, if we do not introduce a rcr 
form which will restore something like honest}^ in 
the management of public affairs. 

Tins reform should begin at the chief seat of 
venal debasement, which is the capital of the nation. 



53. — The people of the Southern States choose 
an old abolitionist — one who has been all his life, 
earnestly opposed to negro slavery — as a candidate 
for the Presidency ; in the hope of being relieved 
from the despotic rule of the present administration. 
This makes it evident that there exists no desire to 
make an effort in the future to re-establish the in- 
stitution which caused so much bitter animosity ; 
and that no obstacle to a cordial reunion of the 



34 

States remains, but the effort of General Grant's 
minions to keep parties divitlecl on a sectional basis. 



54. — While the war fever prevailed, muDV things 
were tolerated, which, if acknowledged to be correct, 
would tend to the subversion of justice and good 
morals. General Grant's treachery to President 
Johnson, and disobedience to his commands — the 
President being commander-in-chief 'jf the army — 
would under different circumstances have subjected 
him to severe punishment. If a soldier in the ranks 
had thus betrayed and defied his superior, he would 
most probably liave been court-martialed and shot. 



55. — The honor of the national government has 
been tarnished by the refusal of General Grant to 
keep faith with the men of the Southern Confede- 
racy. He proposed terms of surrender to Lee, the 
chief of which were, that the Confederates should 
la}^ down their arms, and return to their homes ; 
and that they should not be molested ivhile they did 
not violate the lav)s. He subsequently repudiated 
these terms, and aided in the infliction of the most 
irritating, oppressive, and humiliating conditions 
upon them. They were deprived of citizenship, and 
the elective franchise was given to the recentl}- lib- 
erated slaves. No country pretending to civiliza- 
tion, has ever inflicted so barbarous a penalty upon 
a conquered people, as that of degi-ading them below 
their former slaves ; and elevating the latter to the 



35 

condition of citizens. No one was prosecuted for 
bearing arms against the Federal government ; but 
the indignitie-s imposed upon the Southern people 
were gratuitous and illegal. 

There can never be an enduring peace and union 
of the States, if they be not based upon justice and 
respect for " the supreme law of the Republic." 



56. — The attempt to whitewash the conduct of 
those Engaged in the sale of arms to the agents of 
the French government, is one of the most discredit- 
able acts of General Grant's administration. At the 
time when a claim upon the English government for 
indirect damages to a vast amount was made, based 
upon the neglect of the authorities of that country 
to prevent a breach of the neutralit}^ laws, it was 
discovered that our government officials had sold 
arms and munitions to emissaries of the French 
government, during their war with Prussia. 

The wretched effort to cover up this violation of 
neutralit}^ showed the weakness, as well as the un- 
scrupulousness of the men who misgovern our great 
Kepublic. 



57. — The nav}' of the United States is in a wretch- 
edly inefficient condition. A very large amount of 
mone}^ has been expended upon it ; but very few of 
the vessels in it are in condition to do effective ser- 
vice, if they should be needed. 

Should a collision with any foreign power require 



36 

the use of a naval force, our condition would be 
mortifying. 

In former times no nav}' in the world gained a 
higher reputation than ours, but times have changed. 



• 58. — The grandest republics of the world have 
been changed into despotisms by military leaders ; 
and they have mostl}^ gained power through the 
dissensions of the people, and civil wars fomented 
by mercenar}^ demagogues. 

The great enemy of free government has ever 
been military ambition. 



59. — The immense patronage of the administra- 
tion, and the money plundered ))y corrupt officials, 
are freely used in this contest, to secure the election 
of General Grant ; and if he be allowed to hold on 
to power in opposition to the remonstrances of those 
to whom he owed his election in 18G8 ; the same 
means, augmented in amount, will in future be used 
to perpetuate his power ; and elections will be a 
wretched mocker3\ 



60. — Introducing the toadyism of the court jour- 
nals of the monarchies of Europe, should not escape 
rebuke from the American people. We frequently 
find among the items of important news telegraphed 
from Europe, notices of the movements of General 
Grant's children, designed to magnif}' the import- 
ance of the family of the President. The anti-re- 



8T 

publican tendency of such a fashion cannot be mis* 
taken by any thinking man. It shows a lack of 
good sense in those who countenance it, and it is in 
very bad taste. 



61. — The attempt to unite the soldiers of the 
Federal ann}^ recently engaged in our great civil 
war, in a political organization, should be discoun- 
tenanced. The aim of all truly patriotic men is to 
re-establish the rule of law, and not to introduce 
a government of bayonets. This movement is a 
part of the programme for perpetuating the impe- 
rialism which has been already begun, and which 
will utterly destroy our free institutions if it be 
not rebuked. 

'* Let us htive peace." 



62. — It is time that men who appreciate and de^ 
sire to enjoy the rights and franchises of free citi- 
zens, should understand that they must do their 
own thinking, and refuse to be led by the nose b}: 
venal newspapers and political demagogues. The 
man who takes his opinions from others is always 
in danger of being declined, for the most mercenary 
knaves are usuall}^ the most active in party contests. 

" He only is a freeman whom the truth makes free, 
And all are slaves beside." 



63. — It is not merely a right, it is the duty of 
intelligent citizens to censure those who fill public 
, 4 



positions unworthily. History presents many cases 
in which men who have fought great battles, and 
been placed in high offices, through the injudicious 
gratitude of the people, have betrayed the trust re- 
posed in them, and proved enemies to those who 
elevated them. 

"The price of liberty i< eternal vigilance;" 

and the vigilance of those who desire to have it, 
must be directed to those who have the power and 
treasures of the countrv in their hands. 



64. — Embittered partisan feeling has ever been 
the bane of republics ; and wise and prudent states- 
men strive to allay animosity between parties, and 
between sections. The aim of the demagogues, 
who excite the passions of the people, by appeals 
to party and sectional prejudices, is to delude them. 

The calm and dispassionate observation of the 
conduct of the administration will cause man}' who 
have supported it to withdraw their favor. 

Party pride and ignorant bigotry pre dangerous 
enemies to free government. 



65. — Our country once had the largest foreign 
carrying trade of any nation in the world ; and it 
produces more of the bulky merchandize which 
makes commerce than any other. Our foreign com- 
merce is now lost, and many millions are paid 



yearl}' to foreign ship-owners for carrying our pro- 
ducts to their markets. 

General Grant's administration has not shown 
the ability needed to restore this trade ; but it ta- 
citly consents to tlie humiliating condition in which 
our country is placed ; and makes no effort to re- 
deem what has been lost. 



66.— The indecorous conduct of General Grant 
in going personally to the capitol and engaging in 
lobbying for his Santo Domingo bill, made it evident 
that he has a very faint idea of the dignity of the 
office of President of our great Republic. 

Such want of judgment indicates a mind incapa- 
ble of directing the affairs of government in a po- 
pulous nation. 



67. — The emancipation of the slaves in the South- 
ern States involves responsibilities which General 
Grant has not the head, nor the heart, to appreciate. 
The enfranchisement of the negroes was an act of 
the Federal government, not asked for b}^ them. 
Citizenship was forced upon them, when they had 
not intelligence sufficient to comprehend its privi- 
leges and its duties. The new citizens have been 
under the particular guardianship of the national 
authorities ; and instead of protecting them from the 
perils to which their abnormal condition naturally 
subjected them, hordes of hungry parasites have 
been sent among them, to manage the affairs of the 



4C 

States they inhaV.it, and they have devoured their 
substance; and created antagonisms between them 
and the white people of that section. These dema- 
gogues are the most heartless enemies of the igno- 
rant people they pretend to protect ; and they have 
brought untold evils upon the southern portion of 
the Union, by deluding the enfranchised negroes, 
and plundering the unfortunate States, over which 
they have been allowed to tyrannize. General 
Grant has not the abilit}- needed to comprehend the 
situation of the Southern people ; nor the enlarged 
philanthropy required to meet the wants of the poor 
Africans. 

The condition of things in the South requires 
wisdom — statesmanship — of the highest order; 
which General Grant does not possess ; and a com- 
prehensive generosit}^ of heart, which only one 
whose life has been devoted to the improvement of 
an inferior race, can be expected to exhibit. 

General Grant is not fitted by natural gifts, nor 
by acquired intelligence, to grasp so unusual a con- 
dition of tilings. 



68. — When citizens of a republic permit them- 
selves to be dazzled by the glare of militar3' glory, 
and acknowledge the superiority of the destructive 
deeds of war, over the conservative and beneficial 
measures of peace, they soon become willing sub- 
jects of despotic power. 

In all ages of the world, the chief enemies of 



41 

popular freedom, have been those who, like Alexan- 
der, Cassar and Napoleon, have won applause by 
great victories, and erected empires on the ruins of 
republican institutions. 



69. — Should we allow General Grant's satellites 
to re-elect him, we shall show either that the Ame- 
rican people do not understand the value of free 
government ; or that they have not the manliness 
and intelligence needed to check the encroachments 
upon their rights of a would-be emperor. 



70. — A FEARFUL blot upou the pages of our cur- 
rent history, will be the treatment of the Indians 
inhabiting the Western Territories. That they 
have proved incapable of civilization, does not ex- 
cuse the conduct of those who have robbed them 
of the consideration ostensibly given them for their 
lands. Frauds upon Indians are not a new thing ; 
but the increased means of intelligence and com- 
munication in our time, render them inexcusable. 
The clamors of the most ignorant people for justice, 
should not be unheeded ; nor should their demands 
be left to the "tender mercies" of subordinates. 

Recently when a delegation of Indians desired to 
have a deliberate "talk" with their "great Father," 
they were referred to the Commissioner, because 
the President had not time to hear it. He was 
about to go to a fashionable summer resort, where 
4* 



42 

horse-racing and other popular sports occupy the 
season of pleasure. 

A gentleman of Philadelphia possessing ample 
fortune, and having no responsibility of govern- 
ment upon him, has voluntarily spent much of his 
time, and considerable means, in efforts to civilize 
and improve the condition of the Indians, leaving 
the luxuries of a pleasant home to encounter the 
rough life of the wilderness, on his errands of phi- 
lanthropy and humanit3^ It has required the ex- 
hibition of a large, amount of phj'sical and moral 
courage on his part to " unearth " the villainies of 
the officials who have preyed upon the poor savages. 

The contrast between the conduct of General 
Grant, President of the United States, and that of 
Mr, William Welsh, a private citizen, needs no com- 
ment. 



71. — One of the most flagrant violations of civil 
rights, is that of bringing soldiers to election polls 
to over-awe voters, or in any way to prevent the 
free exercise of the elective franchise. This expe- 
dient has been resorted to during the administra- 
tion of General Grant, in States which have not 
been in arms against the Federal government; and 
such a use of the military power of the nation is 
without excuse. 

William Penn, who founded the commonwealth 
which bears his name, " by deeds of peace, " accom- 
plished more in his intercourse with untutored sav- 



43 

ages, and promoted the prosperit}^ of his colony in 
a more eminent degree than any other, by establish- 
ing the rule of justice, and rejecting the weapons of 
war ; and no one who honestly desires to advance 
the civilization of our country on his principles, can 
give support to the military tyranny, sustaining the 
most shameless political profligacy, which is enforced 
in the Southern States. 

Support of General Grant, and his " rule of the 
bayonet," is direct censure and rejection of the 
Christian principles illustrated by William Penn. 



72. — The efforts of government officials to deceive 
the people with regard to the credit of the nation, 
are insultinc^ to their intelligence. A statement 
has recently emanated from Washington, to the 
effect that calculations had been made to show the 
comparative credit of our government and that of 
France, as exhibited by the rate at which the large 
loan just made had been effected. It stated that 
the difference in favor of the United States was 
" from fifteen to forty per centum." 

The French five per cent, loan was taken at 84^ ; 
and at the same time United States six per cent, 
bonds sold in London for 91 1. Any one who may 
choose to make the calculation, can estimate the 
relative credit of the two nations. Can any banker, 
merchant, or business man sustain an organization, 
which resorts to such means to delude the tax- 



44 

burdened people of our country? English three 
per cent, consols sell for more in Europe than United 
States six per cent, bonds. 

Our credit is not like to improve in Europe wliile 
our debts are rapidly increasing. 

We need a thorough reform in our financial and 
commercial policy ; and the men who surround 
General Grant have not the wisdom to effect it. 



73. — The foundation of Christian morality is ac- 
knowledged to be that precept which says, " Do 
3^e unto men as ye would have them do to you." 

This means honesty, candor and fair-dealing in 
all the atfairs of life; and it is incumbent upon 
those who occup}^ high and honorable offices, to 
present examples which may influence the conduct 
of those in humbler condition. 

What do we find ? 

Republican papers, as well as others, are con- 
stantly complaining of the corruption and gross 
profligacy which fill the political atmosphere ; and 
tempt men to leave honest pursuits, by the chances 
which they oflTer to persons of intelligence, who will 
stifle conscience and do the unclean work of part}^ 
leaders. 

The combination of unscrupulous men who now 
control the affairs of the Kepublican party, and 
hope to re-elect General Grant, has for its chief 
managers the most notoriously depraved political 



45 

partisans of the countiy. Those who divided and 
defeated the Democratic part}' in 1860, are now re- 
garded as trnstworthy leaders of the Republican 
party ; although it is known that they are ready 
to sustain any organization which will pay them 
most liberali3^ 

Venality and an inordinate greed for plunder are 
exhibited in more disgusting forms under the rule 
of the men now in power, than at au}^ former time. 

Can an}^ one who professes to be a Christian, give 
countenance and support to a party which has so 
fearfully demoralized the countr}^ ? 



n. — In a community of intelligent men, " the 
pen is of more value than the sword ;" and one who 
has for many years wielded the pen successfully, is 
of more worth to the American people than a Gene- 
ral who has been brought into notice by the events 
of a civil war. If the people generally should ac- 
knowledge the propriety of giving all honor, power, 
and the emoluments of office to those who have taken 
part in the devastating work of wav, who would be 
inclined to engage in the unremunerating arts of 
peace ; upon which we depend for subsistence, com- 
fort, and the refinements and gratifications of an 
advancing civilization ? 

" Peace hath her victories," more valuable, if less 
pompous, than those of war. 



75. — It is improper and unseeml}^ for members of 
the President's cabinet to interfere in the political 



46 

contests of the States ; and particularly unbecoming 
for them to make perverted, or incorrect statements 
to deceive voters, and prevent the free exercise of 
the elective franchise. 

When men who fill the most honorable offices, 
forget the dignity and sense of propriety, which 
should ever attach to them, there will not be found 
much that is worthy of respect in them. 

The men most honored and esteemed by the 
Republican party, oppose the re-election of General 
Grant ; but others who are not much respected ad- 
vocate it. 

Sumner, Trumbull, Shurz, Banks, Moorehead and 
others of their character desire the defeat of Gene- 
ral jrrant. General Butler, Forney, Wade, Frede- 
rick Douglas, Spotted Tail, et id omne genus have 
declared in favor of ** the military candidate," in 
opposition to the "old abolitionist." 



76. — No President should be re-elected. 

Experience has proved that great abuses arise 
from the efforts of a President in office, and his de- 
pendents, to elect him for a second term. Every 
department of the government is perverted ; and its 
expenses increased to accomplish this object ; and 
many smart and active men are debauched and de- 
based by the nefarious work in which they are in- 
duced to engage. 

The immense pecuniar}^ interests legislated upon, 



47 

and the vast amount of mone}^ handled by officials, 
present temptations which but few have the virtue 
to withstand. It is generally admitted that a tho- 
rough reform in political affairs is imperatively de- 
manded ; and we should begin with the establish- 
ment of the "one term" principle. 

Once elevated to the Presidency should satisfy 
the most ambitious. 



77. — The welfare of forty millions of people is of 
far more consequence than the gratification of one 
man ; and it is no disparagement to any one to say 
that he has not the ability needed for the successful 
government of a great nation. Yery few, even of 
the worthy and intelligent, are capable of adminis- 
tering the affairs of a Union of many independent 
States, having various, and in some things conflict- 
ing interests. General Grant had not the experience 
needed to constitute a statesman; and his personal 
habits and associations have not been of a kind to 
create in his mind a profound idea of the responsi- 
bilities and duties assumed by those who undertake 
such a task. 



78. — It is not freedom for the negroes of the 
South, to keep them under the tutelage of the politi- 
cal emissaries of the dominant party ; who by decep- 
tion, coercion, and appeals to their credulity and 
their timidity, cause them to vote as the adminis- 



48 

tration may wish them to do. The Southern people 
are disposed to allow the new citizens fairly to 
test their capacity for the exercise of the rights 
and privileges bestowed upon them, witliout undue 
influence from their pretended friends, who de- 
sire through the aid of negro votes to continue in 
possession of the power they have so unworthily 
used. 

General Grant's followers know that when the 
negroes are really free, most of them will vote 
against the carpet-bag charlatans, who affect much 
regard for them, but have done them no substantial 
service. 



79. — It is an intolerable tyranny to use money 
taken from the people, to sustain journals engaged 
in deceiving uninformed citizens, traducing and de- 
nouncing all who oppose the arrogance of theif 
masters, and by perversions of facts and cunning 
sophistries, defending the unlawful assumptions 
and dishonest conduct of profligate officials. 

It is yet more insuflerable oppression to use 
money ground out of the bread of the people, to 
corrupt unreflecting voters, and thus defeat the 
free choice of the people at the ballot-box. 

If the men who have a pecuniary interest in sus- 
taining General Grant were to refrain from active 
exertions, and use no money to influence votes, 
their candidate would not get a single electoral 
vote. He has no friends but such as are held by 
" the cohesive power of public plunder." 



d9 

80. — When official profligacy and venalitj^ receive 
no rebuke, humble usefulness and honest industry- 
are wronged and disheartened. Public offices were 
not established by the founders of our Republic to 
enable rooues to grow rich, and to lire in extrava- 
gant ostentation and luxury ; while the mass of the 
people toil for a meagre subsistence. When the 
head of the government countenances official plun- 
der and arrogance, our equality is destroyed, and 
an aristocracy of the meanest description is in- 
stituted. 

AVe have courts and prisons to punish ragged 
rascals ; but rogues in ruffles enjoy high offices, 
wealth and importance, at the expense of the people. 

The standard of morality which prevails in official 
circles is expressed in the trite couplet : 

" 'Tis mean to rob a hen-roost of a hen ; 
But stealing millions makes them gentlemen." 



81. — A President of the United States should be 
" not only pure but unsuspected." 

Serious charges and damaging testimony have 
been brought against officials who still retain the 
favor of General Grant, and the idea is put forth 
that men in public office are to be regarded as in- 
nocent, unless positive and palpable evidence of 
guilt be brought against them. 

This principle is considered correct when persons 
are charged with criminal offences before a court of 
5 



50 

justice, skd are in danger of disgraceful punish- 
ment ; but when men have been entrusted with im 
portant public duties and authority, as well as the 
care of public moneys, the case is very different. 
If circumstantial evidence shall indicate malfeasance 
in office, severe scrutiny should be demanded by 
those implicated, in order that the whole truth may 
be known and justice done to all concerned. 

In a number of cases, in which grossly improper 
conduct has been charged against persons holding 
important offices under the administration, " white- 
washing " committees have been appointed to 
smother investigation ; and to hide facts from the 
public view. In the " sale of arms " investigation, 
a witness acknowledged that he " had received ten 
thousand dollars " for services performed in the 
matter ; and the fact of the sale and transfer of the 
arms to emissaries of the French government was 
sufficiently established ; but no censure was visited 
upon the guilty parties by General Grant ; and by 
retaining them, he practically assumes their acts as 
his own ; and becomes responsible to the people for 
conduct more reprehensible than that of England 
in the " Alabama case." Men in high offices should 
be held bound to prove their innocence ; when facts 
bear testimony against them. 



82. General Grant has never shown a disposi- 
tion to make any sacrifice to preserve the most 



51 

cherished institutions of our Republic ; and in his 
selfish desire to retain power and gain wealth, his 
conduct presents a broad contrast with that of 
others who have filled the office he now occupies. 
When Andrew Jackson, in command of the army 
at New Orleans, believed that the defence of the 
place required the disregard of the right of a citizen 
to the habeas corpus, he took the responsibility of 
refusing to obey it, wpon himself personally ; and 
when the danger was passed, he, as an individual, 
submitted to the penalty imposed by a court of jus- 
tice for his illegal act ; preferring to appear in the 
attitude of a culprit, rather than to sanction the offi- 
cial invasion of an institution " inestimable to fi'ee- 
men, and dangerous to tyrants only." 

General Grant, when no armed resistance to the 
Federal government has existed, using the military 
power placed in the hands of the President to de- 
fend the rights of citizens, has for years violated 
the great " writ of right ; " for the mere purpose of 
securing political power and plunder for his servile 
followers. 



83. — The most baneful of all the evils which afflict 
our countr}^ at the present time, are those combina- 
tions formed by unscrupulous men, to control legisla- 
tion, and the administration of National, State, and 
municipal governments, popularly called " rings." 

All our institutions, designed to promote the 
prosperity, improvement and happiness of the peo- 



52 

pie, have been perverted ; incorporated companies 
and associations have been formed, which to a great 
extent monopolize business ; and compel the people 
to pay extravagant prices for the things most needed 
for their comfort and subsistence. The ostensible 
representatives of the people make merchandise of 
legislation ; and sell rights and privileges to any 
bod}' of unprincipled men, who will pay sufficiently 
for them ; and the most useful portion of the com- 
munity find their M^ages insuftlcient for the comfort- 
able support of a famil}'. Intelligent men see that 
fortune and influence are gained by subserviency to 
the leaders of the " rings ; " general demoralization 
pervades the countr}- ; and threatens the utter de- 
struction of free institutions. 

General Grant is the first President of the United 
States, who has lowered the dignity of his station 
so far as to be compromised in "rings," formed to 
make use of the government, to accomplish pecu- 
niary objects ; and if the people are wise, he will be 
the last one who will so utterly ignore the honor 
attached to the high office, which he has used for 
such unworth)^ purposes. 



84. — If military merit be regarded as a proper 
reason for the advancement of a person to high civil 
office, General Grant and his followers deserve se- 
vere censure. Through jealousy or malevolence, 
the ablest officers of the United States arinv have 



53 

been kept in obscurity ; while servile flatterers have 
been placed in important positions. One of the 
generals who did most efficient service in crashing 
the Southern Confederacy^ has been sent to Europe, 
to "chaperone " the Prince Imperial at the courts 
of the great kings. 



85. — More than seven 3^ears have elapsed since 
our country has been engaged in" any war, except 
the petty and harassing warfare needed to elect the 
supporters of General Grant's administration ; his 
partisans have control of most of the State govern- 
ments and municipalities; and the Ameincan people 
are more heavily taxed than the subjects of any en- 
lightened monarchy in the woi^ld. 

The expenses of the Federal government are 
enormous : and may be greatly reduced without 
detriment to any part of the public service. 

The men who do the real work in the different 
departments, receive but moderate pa}^ while the 
high salaried offices are in many cases filled by par- 
tisans who are utterly incompetent. 



86. — A CENTRALIZED government is necessarily a 
despotism. 

By the use of the patronage of the Presidential 
office, General Grant has controlled legislation in 
Congress ; and b^' a misuse of military power he 
has perverted elections in a number of States. 
5* 



54 

In defiance of the will of the people, and the pro- 
visions of the supreme law, he has concentrated the 
power to make, and to execute the laws ; and by the 
help of a vast army of office-holders, ring-managers, 
and venal political hucksters, he aims to hold on to 
the power he has gained. 

The Roman Empire was called a Republic long 
after its power was in the hands of the Caesars. 



87. — Industry and honest usefulness are discour- 
aged when the highest honors, and the most influ- 
ential offices are given to those whose onl}' claim to 
popular regard is based upon the destructive opera- 
tions of war. It is the culture of the arts of peace 
that makes nations truly great. One ingenious and 
accomplished mechanic is of more value to a com- 
munity, than a score of popinjays in tinsel and 
epaulettes. Public sentiment should give the 
greatest encouragement to what is most useful 



88. — The persistent efforts of the administration 
to array the negroes of the Southern States in hos- 
tility to the white people, must be condemned by 
all right-minded men ; and the deception practised 
on the Northern people by their journals in the per- 
severing attempt to cause the belief that the negroes 
were alwa3^s hostile to their masters, deserves con- 
demnation. During the war, the slaves proved 



55 

most faithful to their owners. No attempt was 
made by them at insurrection, when it would not 
have^ been possible to coerce them. When the 
robust white men were in the army, the slaves pa- 
tiently worked on the farms and plantations, under 
the direction of women and old men ; making no 
attempt at resistance. They produced the subsist- 
ence of the Confederate troops, during the four 
years' struggle, when resistance would have de- 
stroyed the prospects of the Rebels ; and freedom 
and citizenship were forced upon them by the Fed- 
eral government. They had not asked for either. 

Tlie Southern negroes never claimed equality 
with white men until carpet-baggers deluded them 
with the idea of living in luxury upon the property 
of their former masters. 

The ignorant negro is an easy dupe of the crafty 
demagogues, who are devouring the substance of 
both white and black men in the South. 



89. The Federal government at the present time 

is in the hands of a powerful combination of profli- 
gate men, who carry it on for the purpose of making 
money out of it, and aggrandizing themselves, by 
an arrogant and unscrupulous use of official power. 

Without the possession of the money and author- 
ity which they use, these parasites would not have 
the favor of any considerable part of the American 
people 



56 

90. — All despotic governments depend upon 
military power to sustain them ; and all military 
governments are in their nature despotisms. 

The American Republic was founded upon law ; 
and it was intended that no one in any otlicial posi- 
tion should be above the law. The essential differ- 
ence between despotism and free government is that 
the former is one of force, and the latter one of law. 
These are the two extremes of civil institutions ; 
and a candid observation of the conduct of General 
Grant and the men who sustain him, will show that 
the}' have subverted the American Republic ; and 
established an irresponsible despotism in its place. 

If the American people are willing to submit to 
such rule, and to bear the burthens which it imposes 
npon them, they are fit subjects for a military 
empire ; such as General Grant and his satellites are 
now workinor to consummate. 



91. — It is essential to the preservation of free in- 
stitutions that all the incumbents of official posi- 
tions should recognize the right of the people to 
criticise their conduct ; and regard it as a gross 
impropriety to make use of the journals receiving 
patronage from the government, to impugn the 
motives of those who protest against their illegal 
acts. 

It is indecorous for servants to malign their mas- 
ters ; and those who accept public office, should not 



57 

set themselves above the iinobstrusive citizen, who 
censures unlawful assumptions of authority. 



92. — The unmannerly abuse of political opponents 
by the journals in the service of the administration 
is discreditable, and shows a want of correct notions 
of propriety. The following extract is from one 
of them : 

" We find that his (Greeley's) friends are the per- 
sonally bad men in every community. The obser- 
vation of every one of our readers must bear us 
out in this assertion." 

No candid person will deny that the more promi- 
nent friends of Horace Greeley will compare favor- 
ably with those of General Grant ; and no one can 
fail to see a gross lack of dignity and fairness in 
the administration which sanctions the slanders of 
its organs. " Want of decency, alwaj's shows 
want of sense." 



93 — The broad contrast between the conduct of 
the first President and that of the last one, must 
bring a blush of shame to the cheek of every one 
who feels pride in the early history of our Republic. 

Wasliington, with a small force and scant re- 
sources, encountering privations, dangers and dis- 
couragements, contended with a powerful foreign 
foe, for seven years; and when tlie triumph was 
complete, he refused to receive any pecuniary com- 
pensation for his sei'vices. 



58 

General Grant, raised from obscurity by the inci- 
dents of a civil -svar, and placed at the head of a 
powerful and well-supplied array, after sacrificing 
myriads of his troops, succeeded in wearying and 
worrying out the greatl3' inferior and poorly sup- 
plied force of the Confederates ; for which, honors, 
never before conferred, were created for him; and a 
l)rincely salary bestowed upon him. Not satisfied 
with this, he aspired to the Presidency; and having 
gained it, made use of his position to advance the 
schemes of unscrupulous " rings." He has grown 
rich upon the bounty of the nation, and the liberality 
of individuals who were covetous of official honors 
and plunder. He has not been ashamed to 

" So sell and mart his offices for gold 
To undeservers." 



94. — It is not decent for newspapers and persons 
enjo3'ing the patronage or favor of the administra- 
tion, to misrepresent the motives of those who 
charoe the President with having^ acted in violation 
of the Constitution, or with indecorous conduct. 

When it is asserted that General Grant, in his 
effort to annex Santo Domingo, has assumed power 
not warranted by the Constitution ; and that he has 
behaved improperly in "lobbying," to carry the 
measure through Congress, the parasites of the 
administration assail those who make these charges, 
declaring that they are actuated by feelings of " per- 
sonal hostility to General Grant," and are not wor- 
tliy of the confidence of the people. 



59 

It is ivith facts that the j^eople are concerned. Per- 
sonal quarrels are of but little consequence to thera. 
But it is of much importance tliat they should know 
whether it be true, or not true, that the Preside lit 
has done what is charged against him. The trick 
of the mercenary servants of the administration, 
to divert public attention from the' true issue, and 
involve them in the quarrels of public men, should 
not be allowed to deceive honest people, whose wel- 
fare is concerned in the manner in which the affairs 
of the government are managed. 



95. — When the minions of the administration by 
a gross outrage forced the passage of the " En- 
forcement Act " through the House of Representa- 
tives, a leading member of the Republican party 
declared that, as a Judge, "he had sentenced men 
to the penitentiary for smaller offences." 

The object in passing this act was to enable Gene- 
ral Grant's parasites to carrj'- elections in Southern 
States b}' fraud and force. 



96 — The centennial anniversary of our Indepen- 
dence is approaching, and when the intelligent peo- 
ple of distant countries come here to do homage to 
the men of the Revolution, we are not willing that 
they should see that we have proved unworthy of 
the oreat heritage of Constitutional Government. 
•We should be mortified to hear them say, •' Our 



60 

great Republic began with Washington and ended 
with General Grant." 

The statesmen who presided over it in its early 
days, won for us the admiration of all enlightened 
nations ; but its latter times have been inglorious. 
There has been a fearful fall from " the sages of 
'seventy-six," to the jockeys of Long Branch. 



97. — One of the journals most ardentl}^ support- 
ing General Grant, in an article upon the decay of 
manly virtue in this country, sa^'s : 

" The meretricious finery of the Pompadour 
architecture had no more favor in the eyes of our 
forefathers than Pompadour morals. It has come 
in with suddenly acquired wealth, shoddy contracts, 
political corruption, and a social state more nearly 
allied to that of Louis XIII. and XIY. Bogus 
coats of arms on republican carriages, and yellow- 
l^lush flunke^dsm are equalh' symbolic of the times. 

" "Within the past few 3^ears the political road to 
wealth has been found a rapid and sure one through 
Ring organization, with its adjuncts of corporation 
stock jobber}', gold gambling, and other things more 
or less subject to political influence. Jobber}' has 
been reduced to a science, and the men elected to 
enforce the laws and protect the public property 
neglect or pervert the former tliat they may plunder 
the latter. 

" The only remedy for this is a health}^ reaction 
in public opinion, which will discard from official 
position and social prominence men of questionable 
character, and strive once more to elevate the 



61 

standard of qualification to that which inspired our 
fathers in the early days of the Republic." 

Reform should begin where it will be most effec- 
tive. A stern rebuke of General Grant and his 
panders will have a most wholesome influence upon 
the countr3\ 



98. — The impudentassertion so frequentl^uittered 
and reiterated b}^ the administration papers, that 
" General Grant saved the country," is an unmiti- 
gated slander upon the people of our Union. If it be 
acknowledged that the country could be saved only 
b3^ military operations, it is insulting to the popu- 
lous Northern States, to say that they could not send 
a sufficient force to defeat the armies of the sparsely 
populated South, without the aid of this omnipotent 
general. 

The white population of the States which took 
part in the effort to establish the Confederacy was 
less than a fourth part of the whole population of 
the Union ; and in pecuniar}^ and material resources 
the disparity was yet greater. 

To assert that General Grant saved the country, 
is to declare that the Northern people were greatly 
inferior in military skill and prowess to those of the 
South. 



99. — Much may be gained, and nothing can be 
lost b}^ defeating General Grant. If the penitenti- 
aries of the country were searched, a more unscru- 
6 



piilous coml3ination of plunderers than that which 
now manages the General government, could not 
be found. There are unprincipled men who, hav- 
ing gained high positions, have intelligence enough 
to strive to appear honorable in the e^'es of the 
world ; but those who now have our government in 
their hands, are actuated only by a greedy desire to 
get money ; and they are not restrained by any 
sense of honor or decency. 

They show to the community by the style in 
which they live, and their profligate expenditures, 
that they have much more than they could possibl}^ 
get honestly. 



100. — The establishment of rank and titles in the 
army and navy, similar to those of the monarchical 
nations of Europe, is not in accordance with the 
true spirit of Republican institutions ; it is incom- 
patible with the equality of citizens, and should not 
be continued. It tends to excite aristocratic no- 
tions, and to cause young men to look upon useful 
occupations with disfavor. 

That there is no necessity for the regal title of 
Lieutenant-General, and for grades of Admirals, is 
manifest from the fact that the most brilliant 
achievements of our army and navy were won with- 
out them. The 3'oung navy of the United States, 
when it gained so grand a reputation from the 
actions of the war on the Barbar}^ coast, and in 
that of 1812-15, had no commission higher than 
that of Post-Captain. 



CONCLTJSION. 



If the founders of the American Republic were 
rio-ht in the belief that a written constitution, which 
plainly establishes the rights of every individual ; 
and defines and circumscribes the power and autho- 
rity of persons in official positions, and of political 
bodies, forms the only sure basis of freedom for the 
people, and the administration of justice and good 
order in society, the people of our country will 
make a great, perhaps fatal mistake, if they allow 
the passions and resentments of a sectional contest 
and a sanguinary civil war, to obscure their judg- 
ment so far, as to induce them to allow feelings of 
vindictive triumph, and admiration of the pomp 
and glor}" of a magnificent centralized government, 
to destro}^ those divisions and balances of power, 
and reserved rights of the States, which are the 
only security they can have for personal safety from 
oppression. 

Onl}- one argument, having any foundation in 
63 



64 

truth, and any force, is offered, why General Grant 
should be re-elected. It is that his services in com- 
mand of the Army, in the war against the Southern 
Confederacy, were of such value, that gratitude to 
him should overcome all other considerations ; even 
the sacrifice of constitutional government, and 

"All those noble rights which freemen love." 

Those leaders of the Republican party, who four 
years ago were most earnest in efforts to elect him, 
now declare that he is unfit for the position ; and 
that he disregards the restraints of law, designed 
to secure the rights and franchises of the people. 
Observing men perceive that the chief desire of 
General Grant is to possess the wealth to be gained 
directly and indirectly by holding the Presidential 
office. Would it not be better therefore, to give 
him a vast sum from the national treasurj', rather 
than sacrifice the "supreme law of the land," to 
gratify his wishes ? His retainers excuse his re- 
warding those, who have given him valuable gifts, 
with important public offices; by reminding us of 
the munificence of the Englisli monarch}- toward 
the Duke of Marlborough and the Duke of Wel- 
lington. 

We have not been accustomed to such things ; but 



65 

let Congre,ss appropriate hundreds of millions of 
dollars, to make him richer than any other indi- 
vidual on the continent, for the services rendered 
as commander of the army. If by such a pecuni- 
ary sacrifice we can get a President who will respect 
the laws, and drive the greedy " rings " from their 
plunder, the people will be gainers by the opera- 
tion. 

But sensible men will not consent to the aboli- 
tion of the fundamental law of the nation, to gratify 
the grandest of military heroes. Like thousands 
of others, when the country became involved in 
war, General Grant strove to gain a high military 
position, and he was more fortunate than the rest. 
Without personal injury he got into the highest 
command, while hundreds of thousands of others 
lost their lives, and sleep in unknown graves. 

Is it not time that we should be done with the 
worship of demi-gods, heroes, and conquerors ; and 
take common sense notions of things, and of the 
matters which most concern our welfare ? If we 
must have epic heroes, let them wait until poetic 
genius shall immortalize them in verse. It should 
not be forgotten that the Ulj'sses of ancient days, 
waited for a Homer to perpetuate his deeds ; and 

that from the latter we learn that the followers of 

0* 



66 

that ancient general, were, on an unlucky occasion, 
transformed into pigs. Perhaps it would not re- 
quire the sorceries of a Circe to change some of the 
favorites of the modern Ulysses in a similar man- 
ner. 

We live in an age when men and things of a use- 
ful character are appreciated ; we sadly need hon- 
esty, intelligence, and a disposition to make public 
affairs public to the view of the people, that all mny 
know what is transpiring, and who are to blame, 
when industr}^ and unassuming worth pine for fair 
reward ; while unblushing knavery rolls in wealtli 
and ostentation. 

The capital of the nation needs a cleansing ; and 
we need a statesman at the head of the government. 
Seven years should be sufficient to satisfy men of 
brains that the war is ended ; and that the people 
desire peace on the solid basis of justice and good 
faith. 



THE END. 



One Hundred Reasons 



vvtlY 



SHOULD NOT BE RE-ELECTEE 



WHICH WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO 

PEIVEIT EVERY SEJISIBIB AND HOHEST MAN 
FROM VOTING FOR HIM. 



" Now, in the name of all the gods at once, 
Upon what meat doth this, our Caesar, feed : 
That he is grown so great ?" 



j PUBLISHED BY 

I THE AUTHOR, J. O. THOMPSON, 

No. 31434 Walnut Street, 
I PHILADELPHIA, 

i 



Will be lyublished in a few days. 

ONE HUNDRED REASONS 

"WHY 

HORACE GREELEY 

SHOULD BE ELECTED 

President of the United States. 



BY 

J. C. THOMPSON, 

314J Walnut Street, 
1= H I li 7^ 13 E X, 1= H I -A.. 



r^ 



bi. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ' 



013 787 043 5 | 



